Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-02-14
PCBLEC DISCUSSIONS on CURRENT
PROBLEMS.

PROBLEMS.
The free discussions which We're INDUCED
| in during the sessions of the Farmers In
Stitute. held last week, were lustthe sort OF
thing needed and appreciated by the general
public, and We should have more Of them.
| Two topics of universal interest were dis
cussed- namely principle of protec-
ton T. American industries and the man
agement of our public schooiS-and able
and sharp addresses We're delivered by one
gentleman in favor OF free trade and by
another in opposition To at least portion
of the policy now in force in our free
schools The important feature of these
discussions was that they were non-partIsan
| or il they were partisan. they were con
Quoted in the presence of a mon-partisan or
an all-partisan audience, and all
sides were given an opportunity TO
he heard. The only limit was in the time
that could be given 10 the consideration of
the several topics. There are many public
problems that should be discussed in pre-
ciSely the circumstances which prevailed
during the sessions of the lnstltute-name-
ly-circumStances in which all sides of
questions can be heard. candidly and good
naturedly. by people who are prepared To
accept whatever of truth may be presented
aud To reject that which is not proven or
Substantiated. We are glad that an ardent
fliend of free trade was given an opportu-
nifty to assault the principle Of Protection,
for the address was a vehicle of informa-
Traders t0 those present. As for the prn-
ciple of Protection To American Industries,
however it may be said that it suffers no
harm from such assaults. Ii will stand and
remain in force so long as we have any local
industries in America that need protection
from foreign competition. and SO long as
the interests of the American people are
promoted by protective tariff.
Then our public schools are a good mark
for sharp critsism-and whether il is fair
or foul. il doesn't hurt them. They form
public institution that is solidIy imbedded
in the affections of the people, and will
stand as long aS the country shall endure.
The system has its defects; we believe that
a practical revision of the branches taught
should be made-that in the average pub
lie school more attention should be
given 10 thoroughly teaching the pri-
mary and fundamental branches. and
that natural philosophy. chemistry,
physiology. physical geography. American
and general history and something of po-
litical economy. should be- 50 taught that
the pupil should be made to know some
thing of his own personal structure: of the
globe on which he lives; of the properties
of the atmosphere which he hreathes: of
the qualities of the food he eats and the
processes of its digestion and assimilation
in his system: of the history and prnci-
piles of governments and of the laws of
C rmmerce. These are things with which
all men and women have something
to do. almost daily-and the points involved
have personal and practical interest.
The child taught intelIigently and
concerning them. will
grow up into a well informed,
well developed, robust and useful citizen.
and it is to produce such a result that the
money of the people should be employed in
e Educating the children of the people They
cannot be taught everything, but they can
be taught 10 teach themselves whatever
they wish to know or find out.
Those having public schools in charge |
should put themselves in communication
with the peopie-faRd they should be es-
peciaIly careful 20 hear and consider all
criticism. This can be brought out in pub |
lie discussions before bipartisan and i'm |
partial audiences.
For the general reasons which appear in |
the foregoing. we wish We could have ses-
,ions of something like Farmers Insti- |
tute. or Town and Country Club, not once |
a year. merely, for few days. but once |
a month. or, At least. four times a year
at the sessions of which questions relating
to tariffs. public schools, labor problems,
and all other matters having a practical |
bearing on the interests and privileges of |
the people. could be fairly and fully dis
ruSsed and their points given to such as are
not present in newspaper reports. Such
meetings could be made very important and
Effective vehicles for the enlightening and
educating of our adult population. and
would. therefore, prove as useful and
wholesome as they would interesting.